Opinion on Quote for Bathroom Renovations?

Question

A contractor is quoting me 7.4 K to remodel two bathtub / showers.

There is an upper level tub by a window which he would demo and remove and install a walk-in shower in its place using stone textured tile which I purchased.

There is a lower level bathtub / shower combo; he would replace the old tub with a new one and install tile above it to match the upper level.

He would also install new faucets for each.

I am buying most of the material, save the tile trim and window film.

The job would take 4 days.

This seems like a good deal to me.

What do you think?

Eliott Elias · Answer

Two bathroom remodels? That's a good deal.

Vicente Terán · Answer

Seems like a fair price, as @Ryan Normand mentioned above.

Ryan Normand · Answer

In my area that would be a fair price, probably even a little cheap if you're truly getting what's in those pictures. I mean that bottom right picture is easily north of a $10k shower by itself.

Could you find someone to do it cheaper? Probably. But you get what you pay for, especially with custom tiled showers. You can't compare custom tile to a shower insert - they're two totally different things. It takes a lot of time and experience to make one of these look good so hire someone who is credible, has a good reputation, and warranties their work... even if you have to pay a little more. Cheap out and best case it will come out looking like a mickey mouse job. Worst case, if they cut corners on the pan and waterproofing, you'll have a complete tear-out on your hands.

Kyler J Sloan · Answer

Above is before the renovation.

After, each would look something like these:

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

My first thought was that it's just a little high. But not much.....would have to see pictures to see how much prep there is. Nowadays there is a lot of attention paid to waterproofing, for instance is he going to do a hot-mop? Or vinyl? Hardi-board behind everything? Coated with Dragon Seal or similar waterproofing? There are lots of variables.

Chris Henry · Answer

I understand. Mine was removing the tub and surround, new tub install, 104sqft tile and backerboard. No paneling demo, so there's that.

Kyler J Sloan · Answer

@Chris Henry Yes, and that was a plastic pre-fabricated tub. This is a custom design, with demo work removing paneling and two old tubs, laying backerboard, and installing the tiles from there. Of course it will be more.

Oh, and it totals about 220 square feet of tile space.

Chris Henry · Answer

7.4K for labor only?? No way. For that price, he should be buying materials.

I just recently had a plastic tub+surround ripped out and replaced with new tub and tile surround. $3500 for labor and materials.

Bill B. · Answer

I had two tubs replaced with shower inserts for $2400 total material and labor. I’m not saying they’re as nice as tiled showers but you’re paying 3x just in labor. The upside is they were both done the same day.

It can’t hurt to get a second quote. If you’re desperate to get started at least get a quote from a nationwide bath remodeler, they should be the quickest and the most expensive. So if they’re less, you’ve got a problem.

Opinion on Quote for Bathroom Renovations?

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